Chime



Nov. 2, 1943.

R. B. BREWER ET AL CHIME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25, 1940 6N w mum w OREQE T G N N R 9R E E 0 R WB V 3- RB. BREWER ET AL 2,333,515

CHIME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1940 XLTHK/ I INVENTORE:

d m w W U RR EE 0 T W H A MB R m C N w R 8W 0A RL Patented Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED smrss mr'sm o-Fsrcs G. fiergeron, Cleveland, phiaiassignors'ofonethird t0 S. Eldridge Sampliner, Cleveland Application July 25, 1940, Serial No. 347,552 5 Claims. (o1. "177...7

The present invention :relate's to a new and improved construction for a ch-im'e d'e'v'ic'e having exceptional musical, tonal properties and so assembled into a simplified and compact unit as to be capable of facile and economic manufacture. The device embodying our invention is thus adaptable for use either as a chime signal, or by reason of the assembly of a multiple number of units thereof, *as :-'a "musical instrument. We have discovered that "by reason of the novel and unique assembly and relation of the parts comprising our chime, that unusual and unexpected acoustical results are achieved. More prominent among these results is the substantial increase in the duration, energy andintensity of the sound transmitted from *the device.

Briefly outlined, the physical or mechanical structure of our chime comprises a resonance chamber, preferably of elongated shape, which erves not only as a resonance chamber per se, I

but also as an exterior housing for the complete unit; together with a vibratory element, such as a vibrating reed capable of producing a musical note of predeterminedfrequency and a striking device so mounted Within the resonance chamber asto cause the reed to vibrate. The air space defined by the combined resonance chamber and housing is of such volume and dimensions as to have a frequency of vibration coincident with that of the reed. The reed is so located within theinterior of the resonance chamber as tocause the volume of air enclosed by such resonance chamber to so vibrate as to reinforce andprolong the energy and vibratory. period of the reed itself.

The resonance 7 chamber iurther has openings provided in its walls so located and of such size and dimensions as to elfect thetransinission of sound from the reed to the exteriorof the resonance chamber, and at the same time, to enhence the duration and energy of the sound waves emanatingfrom the unit as a whole. H

Additional objects and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the "foregoing and ing a chime device embodying the principle of our invention, such section being taken substantially along the line |l of Fig. 2; Fig. Z'isa'top plan view, partially in section, taken substantia-lly along "the line -2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse, sectional view, taken substantially 'along line 3-3 of Fig. "1; Fig. 4 is a detailed, perspctive view of a portion of the reed-mounting bracket assembly in the chime device; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, bottom plan view of the device; 'Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a modified form of construction of the device; Fig. '7 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the device of Fig. 6; and Fig/8 1s a transverse, sectional view takensubstantially along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Now referring more particularly to the drawings, the device shown therein comprises the three essential elements of a resonance chamber, indicated generally at l, a vibratory element or re'ed 2 of the bar type, and a striking de'vice,-such as the electrically actuated solenoid indicated at 3. The resonance chamber I has fourside walls 4, 5, 6 and I and is closed at one-end by the end wall 8. The opposite end 9 of the resonance chamber is open to the atmosphere. A circular opening I0 is provided in the resonancechamber side wall 4 at-a-pointopposite andinline with the striker ll of the'striking device 3. It has been found that the area-of the opening 10 is of a critical proportion in determining the tonal value of the sound produced by the device. Preferably, the area of the openin'g inthe resonance chamber side wall 4 is substantially equal to one-fifth of that of the total area of such-side wall.

The-reed 2 is mounted by means of the ten- 'sion springs 12 to the depending brackets l3 which are mutually joined by the cross *memb'ers 14. The cross-members M are, in turn, attached to the inner face'of the side wall 4 by means of suitable "fastening screws l5.

:It will thus be noted that the reed 2 is mounted between theopening 'Ill and the striking device f3. Furthermore, it will be noted that the reed 2 is somounted between theopposite side Walls '4 and fi'of the resonance chamber l as to divide the air space'contained therein in substantially 'two equal parts. Thus, the reed 2, denoted'by the dimension a, is slightly closer to the side wall 4 than to the opposite side wall 6, as denoted by the dimension b. In this manner, the volume displaced by thestriking device? in the airspace "on the corresponding sideof the reed 2 is com- --p'ensa ted for.

Thestilliing device 3 is mounted in the *Side wall 6 of the resonance chamber l by means of the fastening screws 16 and has electric connecting wires such as the one shown at IT leading from its terminals which may be exposed as indicated at [8 for convenience in connection on the outer wall of the resonance chamber I. A suitable limit stop or spring arm 19 is provided for the purpose of preventing the striker l I from dropping out of its recess within the core of the solenoid, particularly when the latter is in a vertical position, as shown in the drawings. When the chime device, or more properly, the resonance chamber l, is disposed in a position other than a.

horizontal one, where gravity is eiiectiveto re turn the striker plunger to its position, as shown, and after actuation of the solenoid, a light retraction spring can, of course, be added, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

It will thus be seen that the reed 2 and the striking device 3 can be -very conveniently assembled within the resonance chamber I which also forms the enclosing housing for these elements of the chime unit.

When the striking plunger ll of the striking device 3 strikes a blow against the reed 2 and causes the latter to vibrate, there is produced a sound of an energy and duration which is substantially greater when compared to that of a vibrating element or reed mounted exteriorly of a tuned resonance chamber, as to be of unusual and unexpected proportions. We are, at present, unable to ascribe any scientific theory as to why this result should be achieved. It is possible that the reed 2 so substantially divides the air space within the resonance chamber I that it forms a pair of resilient bodies whose vibration mutually augment each other, as well as the vibration of the reed itself.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the resonance chamber is of the closed tube type, rather than having one open end, and the openings in the side wall opposite one side face of the vibrating reed are plural, instead of single, in number. Thus, the form of device shown in Figs, 6, 7 and 8 comprises a resonance chamber of elongated, rectangular, cross-sectional form having the closed end walls 2!) and 2| and the four side walls 22, 23, 24 and 25. A series of three openings 26 are provided in the side wall 24. Again, the total area of these three openings 26 is of critical proportions and equal to substantially one-fifth of the total area of the side wall 24. The vibrating element comprising the fiat reed 21 is mounted by means of th tension springs 28 to the U-shaped bracket 29, which, in turn, is attached to the side walls 22 by means of the fastening screws 38. The striking device 3! is mounted upon an assembly plate 32 also attached to the side wall 22. The striking device comprises a movable plunger 33 mounted with a retraction spring 34, which, in turn, bears against the supporting bracket 35. It will be noted that the reed 21 is again mounted in the interior of the resonance chamber in such a manner as to coincide with a plane dividing the interior air space in such resonance chamber into two substantially equal halves. The mode of operation, improved function and result of the device shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 ar analogous to those of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive.

The above-described device may be used in the form of a single unit as a supervisory, or call signal, such as a door chime signal for household uses, or with an electric impulse-transmitting device as a call signal for use in factories and offices. A plurality of the above-described chime units, having different sound frequencies may be assembled together to form a musical instrument in the nature of a Vibraphone or Xylophone. Equivalent forms of striking devices, other than the electric solenoid specifically shown and illustrated, may 1ikewise be employed.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We, therefore, particularly point out and dis tinctly claim as our invention:

1. In a chime of the character described, the combination of a resonance chamber, a vibratory element, and a striking means operable to cause said element to vibrate, said vibratory element and said striking means being mounted within the interior of said resonance chamber, and the latter forming an exterior, enclosing housing, the air space defined within said resonance chamber having a sound vibration frequency equal to that of said vibratory element, a portion oisaid resonance chamber in its side opposite one side of said vibratory element being removed and open to the interior of said resonance chamber, the area of said removed and open portion in said side of said resonance chamber being substantially equal to one-filth of the total area of said side.

2. A chime of the character described comprising an elongated resonance chamber, a vibratory, iiat reed mounted within said resonance chamher and having a length substantially, but not quite, equal to th length of said resonance chamber and a striking means adapted to contact said reed to cause the latter to vibrate, said striking means being also mounted within the interior of said resonance chamber, said reed being mounted parallel to opposite side walls of said resonance chamber and in a plane dividing the air space within said resonance chamber into substantially equal parts, the total air space contained within said resonance chamber having a vibration frequency substantially equal to that of said reed, the walls of said resonance chamber being closed except for that side wall thereof opposite to said reed, the latter side having an open and removed portion which is substantially equal to one-fifth of its total area.

3. A chime of the character described comprising an elongated resonance chamber, a vibratory, flat reed mounted within said resonance chamber and havinga length substantially, but not quite, equal to the length of said resonance chamber and a striking means adapted to contact said reed to cause the latter to vibrate, said striking means being also mounted within the interior of said resonance chamber, said reed being mounted parallel to opposite side walls of said resonance chamber and in a plane dividing the air space within said resonance chamber into substantially equal parts, the total air space con tained within said resonance chamber having a vibration frequency substantially equal to that of said reed, said resonance chamber having an open end adjacent one end of said reed and an opening in its side opposite one side of said reed.

4. A chime of the character described comprising an elongated resonance chamber, a vibratory,

flat reed mounted within said resonance chamber and having a length substantially, but not quite, equal to the length of said resonance chamber and a striking means adapted to contact said reed to cause the latter to vibrate, said striking means being also mounted within the interior of said resonance chamber, said reed being mounted parallel to opposite side walls of said resonance chamber and in a plane dividing the air space within said resonance chamber into substantially equal parts, the total air space contained within said resonance chamber having a vibration frequency substantially equal to that of said reed, one elongated side of said resonance chamber having an opening, the area of which is substantially equal to one-fifth of the total area of said side.

5 A chime of the character described comprising an elongated resonance chamber, a vibratory,

flat reed mounted Within said resonance chamber 2 and having a length substantially, but not quite,

equal to the length of said resonance chamber and a striking means adapted to contact said reed to cause the latter to vibrate, said striking means being also mounted within the interior of said resonance chamber, said reed being mounted parallel to opposite side walls of said resonance chamber and in a plane dividing the air space within said resonance chamber into substantially equal parts, the total air space contained within said resonance chamber having a vibration frequency substantially equal to that of said reed, said resonance chamber having an open end adjacent one end of said reed and an opening in its side opposite one side of said reed, the area of said side opening in said resonance chamber being substantially equal to onefifth of the total area of said side of said resonance chamber.

ROBERT B. BREWER. LAWRENCE G. BERGERON. 

